Skin Cancer Management

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australia and the incidence of this form of cancer is rising faster than any other form of cancer today. On average, Qld Plastic Surgery treats over 2000 cases of Skin Cancers a year.

This information brochure will give you a basic understanding of Skin Cancer. It cannot answer all of your questions as a lot depends on individual needs and the Doctors preferences. Please ask your Plastic Surgeon about everything that you are unsure about.

The main cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet light, or the sun. Other sources of similar light can also contribute to skin cancer. Many reasons contribute to why we are seeing more skin cancer today and these perhaps include an increase in outdoor activities, the thinning of the earth’s ozone layer and the consequences of inadequate skin protection and sun screen use in years gone by. We have only recently realised the true benefits of ‘slip, slop, slap’.

Anyone can get skin cancer no matter what age or race or skin colour. While skin cancers can form on any part of the body, it is thought that approximately 80% of these are on the head, neck or face. The most common areas on the face are the nose, the inner or outer edges of the eyes, the lips, the ears (more often in men) and the nasolabial fold area – or area where your nose meets your face near your lips.